Cutting apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for severing a workpiece with a cutting tool returnable through the kerf or cut made thereby wherein at least one translatable slide is employed to move the uncut major portion of the workpiece in a generally linear direction away from the kerf prior to return of the cutting tool. Provision is made for predetermining the amount of translating movement of the slide in at least one generally linear direction of movement thereof in order to facilitate measuring operations. The workpiece may be clamped against a support of the slide including a generally laterally extending supporting surface and a generally upwardly extending supporting surface with positive forces acting in two generally opposite directions, one acting generally downwardly of the slide and the other acting generally upwardly against a way on which the slide is supported.

United States Patent 1191 Allison et al.

[ 1 CUTTING APPARATUS AND METHOD [75] inventors: Rudolph L. Allison;Willy J.

= Goellner, both of Rockford, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Paramount Textile Machinery (30.,

Rockford, ill.

[ Notice: The portion of the term of this Patent subsequent to Mar. 23.,1988, has been disclaimed.

22 Filed: Nov. 12, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 88,547

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.838,220, July 1,

1969, Pat. No. 3,572,200.

[52] US. Cl. 83/27, 83/107, 83/113,

83/466 [51 Int. Cl 326d 7/06, 326d 7/02 [58] 'Fleld of Search.....83/27, 113, 129,

83/135, 154,153, 282, 277,110, 461; 214/1 BB; 143/46 F [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,572,200 3/1971 Allison et al 83/273,513,741 5/1970 Shallenberg 83/210 X 2,939,355 6/1960 Sevison 83/277 X3,436,996

4/1969 Toensin'g 83/153 X [45] *Aiigid; l 973 3,459,082 8/1969 Smith eta1 83/153 2,889,858 6/1959 Roberts 143/46 F 2,752,999 7/1956 Gage 83/2763,426,631 2/1969 Sandbcrg 83/82 Primary Examiner-J. M. MeisterAttorney-Bums, Doane, Swecker & Mathis ABSTRACT The workpiece may beclamped against a support of the slide including a generally laterallyextending supporting surface and a generally upwardly extendingsupporting surface with positive forces acting in two generally oppositedirections, one acting generally downwardly of the slide and the otheracting generally upwardly against a way on which the slide is supported.

28 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Unitefl States Patent 1 1 2 2 Allison etal. *Allg. I4, 1973 Patented Aug. 14, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 i U22INVENTORS I30 132 RUDOLPH L. ALLISON E ue WILLY J. GOELLNER M M, BY I26Bs Mwiwdfi;

ATTORNEYS CUTTING APPARATUS AND METHOD RELATED APPLICATION Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of applicants copendingapplication Ser. No. 838,220, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,200, filed July l,1969 for Method and Apparatus for Spreading Severed Portions of aworkpiece.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to cutting operationsinvolving the return movement of a cutting tool through the kerf or cutmade thereby. More particularly,.this invention relates to a cuttingapparatus and' method wherein the severed portions of a workpiece areseparated prior to return movement of the cutting tool.

Subsequent to the severance of a workpiece by a rotating orreciprocating cutter, it has been common for many years to return thecutting tool through the kerf or cut produced by the severance. Usually,the cutting tool is continuously driven during this return movement inorder to avoid the need for restarting the machine prior to each cut.

Upon passage of the cutting tool through the kerf, the tool normallyengages one or both of the severed portions of the workpiece. Thisengagement may result from the tendency of the workpiece to expand intothe kerfin order to relieve compressive stresses induced by the cuttingtool on the workpiece faces exposed by cutting, or from the actualshifting of the severed portions toward one another as a consequence ofvibrations produced during the cutting operation.

At any rate, the cutting tool and workpiece interaction not onlyproduces a significant amount of undesirable noise during the returnstroke of the cutter, but also tends to mar the finish of the workpiecesurfaces adjacent the kerf.

Moreover, the contact between the tool and the workpiece maysignificantly reduce the useful life of the tool.

In the past, many saw blades were constructed from high-speed steel,high-carbon steel, or abrasive material, all of which were relativelyunaffected by the reverse rubbing action that occurs when the blade isretracted through a cut. However, with the advent of the relatively newsaw-blade technology, involving carbide tips brazed onto the body of thesaw blade, the reverse rubbing in a direction opposite to that of thecutting force may have a tendency to-cause chipping of the corners ofthe carbide tips or breaking of the tips at the braze line.

Applicants copending application Ser. No. 838,220 discloses a techniquedirected at overcoming problems of the type previously noted. In itsbroad aspectsthis technique is concerned with spreading the severedportions of a workpiece prior to the return of a cutter means throughthe path of the cut.

The preferred form of accomplishing this spreading as disclosed in theaforesaid copending application contemplates the provision of at leastone translatable slide means generally linearly movable in generallyopposite linear directions toward and away from the location at whichthe workpiece is severed. The slide is employed to translate a severedworkpiece portion in a generally linear direction away from the cut andmay be employed to return the severed portion of the workpiece to itsinitial position to facilitate measuring operations.

Of independent significance apart from the concept of spreading thesevered portions of the workpiece is this translation feature disclosedin the aforesaid copending application, insofar as overall machineoperation is significantly enhanced when substantially pure linearmovement of severed workpiece portion is ac complished through the useof a translatable slide means. For example, if a spreading action of apivotable type were to be employed to move the cut exposed end portionof the workpiece away from the location at which the out were made, asmall amount of pivoting of the leading portion of the exposed workpieceend (that portion closest to the'pivot point) would necessitate asignificantly greater amount of movement of the trailing portion of theexposed workpiece end. In other words to insure a clearance, for returnof the cutter means, of a desired amount along the total extent of thesevered end portion, a greater amount of clearance must be provided atsevered end portion locations remote from the pivot point.

Thus, where severance of such workpieces as steel bar stock is involved(with 6-inches square crosssectional dimensions and 30-feet lengthdimensions not being uncommon-in heavy steel bar stock cutting), thepivoting of the bar stock to move the cut-exposed end of the workpieceaway from the location at which severance occurred would include whatmay be an intolerable and significantly greater amount of movement ofthe workpiece at the other uncut end. A dangerous hazard may thereby becreated at that remote uncut end to the degree that injury of personnelnear that end of particularly long and heavy stock may occur. The hazardmay be increased by the fact that the amount of travel of the uncut endwould vary with the length of the workpiece.

It would, therefore, be desirable to minimize or obviate this problemthrough employing spreading procedures amenable to limited motioncommensurate with the intended purpose.

In this connection, it should be noted that proper location of a pivotpoint for moving one end of a heavy and long workpiece away from the cutmay produce other problems such as necessitating the application of anundesirable amountof force toinduce pivoting. The force needed to movethe bar not only must account for the deadl weight of the bar but alsowould have to account for any'friction forces that would be encountered.For example, when bar support assemblies of the conventional roller-type(as disclosed in the aforesaid copending application) are employed, therollers, which offer little or no resistance to the feeding of the baralong the rollers, would offer frictional resistance along the entirelength of the bar that would be forced to slide across, rather thanalong, the rollers during bar pivoting. This resistance would have to beovercome and may require the application of forces at unnecessarily highlevels. Even if overcome, this resistance may tend to induce slippage ofthe workpiece portion gripped by any clamp.

It would, therefore, be desirable to provide for spreading procedureswherein spreading movement may be accomplished with minimal frictionalresistance of the workpiece being encountered.

It would be particularly desirable to accomplish this end without theneed for specialized material handling techniques, cg, without the needfor providing for pivotal movement ofa conventional roller-typeworkpiece support assembly.

In eliminating problems associated with saw blade wear, particularlythat of carbide tip saw blades used in cutting heavy metal stockmaterial such as steel, the efficient positive maintenance of theworkpiece in a rigid position during the actual severance of theworkpiece would also be desirable. Blade chatter and the like and theresultant wear may thus be minimized. Applicants copending applicationSer. No. 838,220 discloses a clamping arrangement continuously availableto positively clamp the workpiece against a support with forces actingfrom generally opposite sides, to thus positively maintain the clampedworkpiece in a rigid posture. Such a clamp arrangement is particularlyuseful from a saw-blade life standpoint, in combination with spreadingtechniques, but is of independent significance.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a general object ofthe invention to provide a method and apparatus that eliminates problemsof the sort previously noted.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a method andapparatus which efficiently eliminates interaction between a cuttingtool and a workpiece dur ing return movement of the cutting tool.

It is a related object of the invention to provide such a method andapparatus characterized by the generally linear movement of at least oneof the severed workpiece portions away from the kerf.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an improvedmethod and apparatus for cutting a workpiece with a cutting toolreturnable through the kerf.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide such a method andapparatus wherein generally linear movement of a workpiece portion awayfrom the location of the cut is employed while minimizing the amount ofworkpiece movement and force required for desired separation, as well aswhile avoiding potentially dangerous workpiece movement remote from thatlocation and minimizing problems associated with any frictionalresistance of the workpiece to movement.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a method andapparatus compatible with conventional material handling techniques.

It is an independent object of the invention to provide an improvedmethod and apparatus for severing a workpiece that utilizes a clampingassembly continuously available to efficiently maintain the workpiece ina rigid posture.

It is still another object of the invention to provide such a method andapparatus in conjunction with the procedures involving generally linearmovement of at least one of the severed workpiece portions away from thekerf, or location of the cut.

It is a related object of the invention to provide such a method andapparatus wherein the severed work portions are positively clamped fromgenerally opposite sides prior to the occurrence of separating movement.

A preferred embodiment of the invention intended to accomplish at leastsome of the foregoing objects involves a rotatable carbide tip saw bladetranslatable toward and away from a workpiece supported generallytransversely to the direction of translation of the saw blade.

The support for the workpiece includes two translatable slides on eachof which a releasable clamp is mounted. The slides and the clamps arepositioned on opposite sides of the location where the cut is to takeplace. The slides are generally linearly movable in opposite lineardirections toward and away from one another. The releasable clamps arecontinuously available to be operable to maintain the workpiece tightlyagainst the slides by a clamping force applied in a first direction.

Also, the ways on which the slides are mounted are forced into tightengagement with the slides so as to clamp the workpiece against theslides from a generally opposite direction. This latter force inherentlyclamps the slides to the bed on which the ways are secured. The supportagainst which the workpiece is clamped includes a generallyL-shapedsupport shelf facing the cutting blade and comprised of a generallylaterally extending surface beneaththe workpiece and a generallyupwardly extending surface on one side of the workpiece.

After severance of the workpieceand prior to the return of the saw bladethrough the kerf, a piston and cylinder assembly is activated toseparate the slides by a predetermined amount, with each slide beingmoved by translation in a generally linear direction away from the kerf.With the severed workpiece portions clamped to the slides, theseportions are also translated in a generally linear direction away fromthe kerf and from one another.

In order to facilitate the taking of measurements for a subsequent cut,there is a provision of means for predetermining the amount oftranslating movement of at least the slide that moves the major uncutponion of the workpiece, in at least one generally linear direction ofslide movement. In the preferred embodiment of the invention this isaccomplished by providing stop means that limits movement of each of theslides in generally opposite linear directions. In this fashion, a zero"point from which a desired feed of the workpiece may be undertaken isestablished in two locations as will become apparent hereinafter. Thus,the clamps may be released and the feed of the workpiece may beaccurately accomplished from the predetermined position where the uncutworkpiece is located through the predetermined positioning of the slideaway from the cut as a result of the provision of the stop means. Thetranslatable slide may be subsequently returned to a position for latertranslating spreader action. Alternatively, subsequent to the return ofthe saw blade to its original position, the slides, and therefore theclamped severed portions of the workpiece may be returned to theirinitial positions in order to facilitate the taking of measurements.

THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. I is a partially cross-sectional side elevational view of a cuttingmachine according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectional, end elevational view taken alongline 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional, top plan view of the stop meanstaken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an inverted perspective view of the stop means shown in FIG.3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION General Summary Referring now to FIGS. l and 2, acutting machine It) according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is there shown. 7

The cutting machine 10 includes a rotatable carbide tip saw blade 12(FIG. 2) mounted for reciprocating movement on a slidable base 14. Anysuitable motor means (not shown) may be employed to provide thetranslating and rotating movement of the saw blade ll2. Anti-backlashgearing is particularly desirable for this purpose.

Disposed generally transversely of the path of translation of the sawblade 12 is a workpiece support assembly 16. This support assembly mayinclude a rollertype support means (not shown) on which the majorportion of a bar 18 of stock material rests. The end of this bar 18 issupported on each of two slides 20 and 22 (FIG. 2), with the slidesbeing situated on opposite sides of the plane of translation of the sawblade 12, i.e., on opposite sides of the location at which the cut is tobe made. Each slide is slidably mounted on spaced ways 24 and 25. It isreadily apparent that the ways 24 and 25 serve to guide the slides 20and 22 for translation therealong.

Extending upwardly from each of the slides 26 and 22 are first andsecond vices 26 and 28. It will be implicitly recognized from theforegoing that since the vices 26 and 28 and the hereinafter more fullydescribed other elements of the clamping assemblies are mounted on theslides 20 and 22, they are continuously available for utilizationthroughout the operation of the cutting machine 10. Particularadvantages, hereinafter more fully elaborated, inherently flow from thisarrangement. At the time that it is desired to clamp the workpiece tothe slides, the vices 26 and 28 may be lowered into engagement with theworkpiece 18 as indicated at 30. If this clamping takes place subsequentto a cutting operation, the vices 26 and 26 may be lowered intoengagement with the separated portions of the workpiece 18. If desired,the ways 24 and 25 may be forced tightly against the bottom portions ofthe slides 20 and 22 to insure positive clamping of the workpieceagainst the slides, in a manner hereinafter more fully described.

Prior to the return of the saw blade 12 through the kerf and to itsinitial position, the slides 20 and 22, and therefore the severed workportions clamped thereto, are separated by operation of a piston andcylinder assembly 32 (FIG. 2). After the saw blade has been returnedthrough the kerf, the slides and the severed portions of the workpieceare returned to their initial positions by reversing the operation ofthe piston and cylinder assembly 32. With the ways 24 and 25 serving toguide the slides 20 and 22 for translation, the piston and cylinderassembly 32 functions as means for respectively moving the slides andthe severed portions of the workpiece if clamped thereto, in generallylinear directions toward and away from one another and therefore towardand away from the location of the cut. It will be appreciated that thislinear motion of the translating slides allows for minimization of theamount of workpiece movement and forces needed for desired separation ofthe severed workpiece portions. Moreover the minimal linear movement ofthe severed portions at their adjacent cut exposed ends is inherentlyreflected at the remote ends of those portions. Thus, where long lengthheavy workpieces such as 30-feet long and 6-inches square steel barstock are employed, a potentially dangerous situation of workpiecemovement at the remote end (that would be involved with large movementsat the remote end of the long workpiece) is avoided.

Moreover, the frictional resistance offered to move ment of the majoruncut portion of the workpiece may be minimized, particularly inconjunction with the previously mentioned roller-type support means onwhich the major portion of the 'bar 18 of stock material rests. This, ofcourse, minimizes the force needed to move that workpiece portion, whileavoiding the likelihood that the frictional resistance will cause thatworkpiece to become unclamped. In this connection it may be noted thatthe linear motion of the slides and workpiece is compatible with such aconventional material handling technique as the roller-type supportmeans and no special provision need be made, for example, for pivotingof that support assembly.

A stop member 34 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is provided between the slide members20 and 22 to limit the movement of the slide members in both directions.It is readily apparent that this feature is particularly amenable toenhancing measuring operations. When the next cut is to be made in anoperation wherein the end portion of the workpiece is to be sequentiallysevered from the remainder thereof, it is often desirable when takingany direct measurements for a subsequent cut or when feeding theworkpiece by a desired amount for a subsequent cut, to take such adirect measurement or commence such measured feeding from the locationat which the cut was made. Thus, since the linear movement of the slidemembers 20 and 22 toward the cut is limited by the stop member 34, thisstop limit, when commensurate with the piston from which the slide wasoriginally moved, provides a convenient zero point for measurements orfeeding operations when the slides are operable to translate the severedwork portions to their initial positions.

In a similar manner the limit to the translating movement of the. slidein the opposite direction (i.e., away from the location of the cut)provided by the stop member 34 may, if desired, provide such a zeropoint.

It will be apparent that since the vices 26 and 2% can be released aftermovement to that point, feeding can be accomplished from that point withthe amount of feed required to correctly position the workpiece for aspecified length of cut compensating for the amount of previoustranslation of the workpiece away from the cut.

The stop member 34 thus inherently functions as a means forpredetermining the amount of movement of the slides in both directions.It will be appreciated that measuring accuracy can readily be enhancedwith such predetennination of one slide movement in only one direction.

Detailed Structure and Method of Operation Referring again to FIGS. land 2, it will be seen that the workpiece support assembly 16 includes astationary base member 36 in addition to the slide members 241) and 22and ways 24 and 25. The ways 24 and 25 are bolted or otherwise securedto this stationary base member 36. The mounting of the ways on the basemember 36 is such that the ways are supported in a generally horizontalposition to present flat, upper guide surfaces 38 and 40.

The slide is supported for movement on the ways by means of a firstreciprocable or tanslating member 42. This reciprocable member 42 isprovided with a flat bottom surface 44 which rests on the upper waysurfaces 38 and 40 and is slidable relative thereto.

Fixed to the first reciprocable member 42, at the end thereof remotefrom the slidable base 14 on which the saw blade 12 is mounted, is asecond reciprocable member 46. This second reciprocable member presentsa generally vertically extending, flat, slidable surface 48 which slidesalong a similarly oriented surface 50 of the way 24 remote from the saw12. A third reciprocable member 52 is fixed to the second reciprocablemember 46 and presents an upper slide surface 54 that slidably engages aportion of the lower surface 56 of the way 24 which projects outwardlybeyond the stationary base member 36. Thus, the reciprocable members 42,46

and 52 define a channel in which the way 24 is received for relativeslidable, translating movement. It will be apparent that the secondslide 22 is provided with similar reciprocable members oriented todefine a substantially identical way receiving channel, with this latterchannel having a lesser longitudinal or linear extent along the way 24than that of the channel of the first slide member 20.

The upper portion of the slide member 20 includes a hollow housing 54that is generally trapezoidal in cross-section. This housing is fixed tothe first and second reciprocable members 42 and 46 for movementtherewith. Along the surface of the housing 54 facing the saw blade 12 agenerally upwardly extending member 56 of a workpiece support shelf isattached in any suitable manner. A generally laterally extending member58 of this support shelf is fixed to the first reciprocable member 42.These members 56 and 58 of the support shelf respectively presentvertically and horizontally inclined and contiguous surfaces 60 and 62offset by substantially a right angle. As will be recognized, thisarrangement makes the support shelf readily and advantageously amenableto use with either rectangularly or circularly cross-sectionalworkpieces. As may be seen in FIG. 1, the support shelf facing the sawblade 12, and defined by the generally upwardly extending member 56 andits generally upwardly extending support surface 60 along with thegenerally laterally extending member 58 and its generally laterallyextending support surface 62, is generally L-shaped. The one surface 62is beneath the workpiece and the other surface 56 is alongside theworkpiece. The end portion of the workpiece 18 which is to be severedduring a cutting operation is supported by these surfaces 60 and 62.

It will be recognized that the clamping action on the workpiece 18 isoperative to provide a clamping force to urge the workpiece against bothof these surfaces 60 and 62 to thereby rigidify the position of theworkpiece 18 on the generally L-shaped support. Moreover, the generallyL-shaped support inherently reacts against the force provided by thefacing saw blade 12 during the actual cutting operations. This, ofcourse, implicitly minimizes any workpiece movement during severance soas to enhance blade life. Anti-backlash gearing driving the blade 12,may further enhance blade life.

It will be appreciated that the second slide member 22 includes a hollowhousing 64 and support shelf (not shown) substnatially identical to thecorresponding portions of the first slide member 20 but having a lesserlongitudinal extent along the workpiece l8.

Extending upwardly through each of the slides 20 and 22 adjacent thejuxtaposed ends thereof are first and second rods 64 and 66. These rodsare respectively attached, at their upper ends, to the previouslyidentified vices 26 and 28 which are disposed so as to present clampingsurfaces 68 and 69 over the workpiece support surfaces.

The rod 64 is slidably received within a cylinder 70 extending throughthe hollow slide housing 54 and the upper reciprocable base member 42.Positioned below the cylinder 70 and between the ways 24 and 25, is ahollow, floating sleeve 72 having an internal chamber 74 substantiallyconcentric with the cylinder 70.

This sleeve 72 is provided with an external collar 76 havinglongitudinally extending flanges 78 and 80 on opposite sides thereof.The flanges 78 and 80 are received in channels 82 and 84. These channels82 and 84 are defined by oppositely facing and generally L- shapedcutouts in the upper portion of the stationary base 36 of the workpiecesupport assembly 16 together with the downwardly facing surfaces 86 and88 of the ways 24 and 25, which downwardly facing surfaces projectinwardly of the base 36 toward one another.

As indicated at 90 and 92, the thickness of the flanges 78 and 80 issuch that a degree of clearance exists to permit slight verticalmovement of the flanges within the channels 82 and 84. Preferably, theamount of clearance is on the order of H32 of an inch. However, forpurposes of illustration, the clearance is exaggerated in FIG. 1.

Suspended from the floating sleeve 72 is a hydraulic cylinder 94. Thiscylinder is generally coaxial with the sleeve 72 and is fixed at itsupper end 96, to the floating sleeve for movement therewith, thereby torender the cylinder of a floating nature.

A piston rod 98 extends into the chamber 74 of the sleeve and into thehydraulic cylinder 94 where it is attached to a piston 100. At thesleeve end the piston rod 98 is connected to a slidable piston-likemember 102 having a diameter substantially equal to that of the sleevechamber 74. This member 102 is fixed to the lower end of the viceconnecting rod 64 by any suitable means such as a threaded bolt 104.

To clamp the workpiece, fluid under pressure is supplied to the upperend of the cylinder 94 from any suitable source (not shown). This causesdownward movement of the piston 100 which ultimately moves the clampingsurface 68 of the vice 26 into engagement with the workpiece. At thispoint, the reaction force to the fluid pressure acting on the piston 100causes upward movement of the floating cylinder 94 and floating sleeve72 (permitted by the clearances 90 and 92 in the channels 82 and 84). Aforce against the ways is thereby provided by the flanges 78 and 80acting on the lower, inwardly projecting way surfaces 86 and 88.

Thus, as a result of the movement of the floating cylinder 94 andfloating sleeve 72, a second positive clamping force is provided betweenthe workpiece l8 and the slide member 20, which force acts in adirection generally opposite to that of the force provided by the vice26. This arrangement insures positive engagement between the slidablesurface 44 of the first reciprocable member 42 and the upper surfaces 38and 40 of the ways anchored to the bed 36, by reason of forces acting intwo generally opposite direction.

In instances wherein there is a limited amount of play of bolts securingthe ways to the stationary bed 36, or in instance of way warpage or thelike, the generally upward clamping force provided by the floatingcylinder assembly may induce a relative vertical movement between theways and the slide member 20, which was recognized in the aforementionedcopending application and may be conveniently referred to as upwardmovement of the ways 24 and 25 against the first slidable supportsurface 42. However, whether or not this phenomenon occurs, it isapparent that disclosed arrangement operates to take play out of thesystem through the generally oppositely acting clamping forces. Oneforce acts directly against the workpiece and forces the slide againstthe ways mounted on the stationary bed 36, while another generallyupward positive clamping force acts against the ways as may be clearlyseen in FIG. 1. The slide is thus inherently clamped to the stationarybed 36 on which the ways are secured.

It will be apparent that the second slide member 22 is provided with anarrangement to exert clamping forces in a manner identical with thatdescribed in connection with first slide 20. The clamping assembliesbeing continuously available for clamping action by reason of theirbeing carried on the translatable slide members 20 and 22, may beactivated when desired. This activation of course occurs prior toseparation of 'the slide. members, and subsequent to the completion of aprior cutting operation, i.e., after feeding for the next cuttingoperation has been accomplished. Activation may be advantageouslyinitiated immediately prior to severance so that the workpiece remainsclamped during severance. In this manner the maintenance of theworkpiece in a rigid posutre and the stabilization, with the oppositelydirected clamping forces, of the slides relative to the ways secured tothe station bed 36, throughout the actual severance, help to minimizechatter caused by workpiece play and enhance blade life. Whereactivation occurs subsequently to the immediately proceeding severingoperation, it is desirable to maintain the workpiece in a clampedposition through a feeder clamp of any suitable type which wouldnormally be used in connection with the positioning of the workpiece forseverance.

At any rate, the severed portions of the workpiece are clamped to theslides 20 and 22 and before the saw blade 12 is returned through thekerf of the cut, the slides 20 and 22 and, therefore the supportedworkpiece portions are separated by the previously identified piston andcylinder assembly 32. It will be appreciated that this piston andcylinder assembly is of course operative to produce a translatingspreading force that the cylinder 70 which receives the vice connectingrod' 64, is a piston rod 108. This rod 108 is bolted, as shown at 110,or otherwise secured to the internal portion of the end wall 112 of theother hollow housing 64, which wall 112 faces the first hollow housing54. The rod 108 is additionally provided with a shoulder 113 which bearsagainst a pocket in the outer surface of the end wall 112 to which it issecured.

Between the slides 20 and 22 the rod extends through registeredapertures 114 in a U-shaped shield 115 which opens toward the saw blade12.

When fluid pressure is applied from any suitable source (not shown) tothe cylinder 106 to tend to telescope the piston 10% outwardly thereof,the. slides tend to move by translating away from one another along theways 24 and 25. The linear movement of the slides is guided by theseways, particularly in connection with the earlier noted channels definedby the reciprocable members 42, 46 and.52. The previously identifiedstop member 34 is disposed on the way 24 remote from the saw blade 12and between the slides 20 and 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be seen that this stop member 34comprises a block 116 having a vertically extending slot 113 within. Theopposite side walls 120 and 122 defining the slot 118 provide abutmentsfor limiting the movement of the slides 20 and 22. On each side of theblock is a transverse, generally U-shaped access opening 124 and 126communicating with the slot 118. These access openings 124 and 126 arelaterally offset from one another.

The threaded shanks 128 and 130 of the first and second screws areattached respectively to the upper slidable support members 42 of theslides 20 and 22 and project into the access openings 124 and 126. Thescrews are provided with enlarged flat heads 132 and 134 whichalternately abut the opposite walls 120 and 122 of the slot 113 toprevent excessive movement of the slides in either direction.

It will be appreciated that upon retraction of the saw blade 12 throughthe kerf, the return translating movement of the slides caused byreverse pressurizing of the cylinder 106 of the piston and cylinderassembly 32 resutls in the abutment between the flat head 132 and 134and the slot walls 120 and 122 so as to insure the return of the slides(and therefore the severed portions of the workpiece) to their initialpositions. This facilitates the taking of accurate measurements prior toproceeding with the next cutting operation. In the subsequent cuttingoperations involving the sequential severing of the-end portion of theworkpiece from the remainder thereof, it will be apparent that theentire foregoing technique, including, the "support-of the workpiece ina position for severance, is repeated.

The block 116 is received within a pocket 137 in the.

way 24 and is securely fastened thereto by means of bolts 136 extendingthrough longitudinal apertures 138 in the corners of the block sothatrepeated separating and return action of the slides 20 and 22 alwaysresults in proper positioning of the severed workpiece portrons.

SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES AND SCOPE OF THE INVENTION It will be seen thatfollowing the present invention, an improved cutting apparatus andcutting method are provided so as to minimize problems associated withthe return of a cutting tool through the kerf by separating the severedportions of the workpiece prior to that return.

The provision of translating spreading action to generally linearly movethe uncut workpiece portion away from the location of the cutadvantageously minimizes the amount of workpiece movement and forcerequired for separation. Since a spreading action involving limitedmotion commensurate with the intended purpose is provided, problemswhich may be associated with the movement of the remote workpiece endare minimized. Moreover, the linear movement particularly in conjunctionwith a roller-type support minimizes frictional resistance problems.

Of independent importance is the efficient positive maintenance of theworkpiece in a rigid position through the provision of the clampingarrangement continuously available to provide positive clamping forcesin two generally opposite clamping directions. To this end the floatingsleeve, that stabilizes the slides on the ways and minimizes thepossibility of undersirable movement of the workpiece by providingpositive clamping of the workpiece to the slide members with forcesacting in generally opposite directions, may be employed. The supportsurfaces beneath and alongside the workpiece provide related advantages.

Also significant is the provision of means for predetermining the amountof translating movement of at least one of the slides in at least onelinear direction of movement thereof in order to facilitate measuringoperations. This may be readily accomplished by the use of stop means toinsure the return of at least the uncut portion of the workpiece to itsinitial position, subsequent to return of the cutting means.

It will be appreciated that these advantages may be realized withapparatus other than that specifically described. For example, pneumaticrather than hydraulic cylinders, as well as any other suitable motorforce, may be employed to provide the separating force for the slidesand/or the clamping forces on the severed workpiece portions.

It will also be appreciated that, if desired, the slide associated withthe severed end portion of the workpiece remote from the bulk of theremaining stock material may be dispensed with and replaced by anysuitable conveyor means for removing this workpiece portion, insofar asmeasuring operations may not require return of this portion to itsoriginal position.

Moreover, clamp means or slide means of a type other than thosespecifically illustrated may be employed without departing from thespirit of the invention.

It is also to be noted that the method and apparatus of the presentinvention are applicable to cutting operations in involving saw bladesother than the carbide tip type, as well as to those cutting operationswhich involve translation of the workpiece toward the blade duringcutting and/or those operations which employ reciprocating cutting toolsrather than rotating cutting tools.

Therefore, it is apparent that although the invention has been describedin connection with one preferred embodiment and method, additions,modifications, substitutions and deletions, such as those mentionedabove, as well as others not specifically described, may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. [n a machine for severing a workpiece by cutter means movablerelative to and generally transversely of the workpiece to make a cut,and returnable relative to the workpiece through the path of the cut,the improvement comprising:

spreader means for translating each of the severed portions of theworkpiece in generally opposite linear directions away from one anotherprior to return of said cutter means, relative to the workpiece, throughthe path of the cut, said spreader means comprising:

first and second translatable slide means supported for translationn ona way and positioned on opposite sides of the path of the cut, saidslide means being generally linearly movable in generally oppositelinear directions toward and away from one another,

first and second clamp means, operatively connected respectively to saidfirst and second translatable slide means, for clamping said workpieceto said first and second translatable slide means, each of said firstand second clamp means including means for clamping said workpieceagainst the operatively connected one of said slide means with a firstclamping force acting against said workpiece in a first positiveclamping direction and a second positive clamping force acting againstsaid way in a second generally opposite clamping direction,

means for respectively translating said first and second slide means andthe operatively connected one of said first and second clamp means, ingenerally opposite linear directions away from one another, and

means for respectively translating said first and second slide means ingenerally opposite linear directions toward one another.

2. The improvement according to claim 1 including:

means for predetermining the amount of translating movement of each ofsaid translatable slide means in at least one generally linear directionof movement thereof.

3. The improvement according to claim 2 wherein said means forpredetermining the amount of translating movement of each of saidtranslatable slide means in at least one generally linear direction ofmovement comprises:

stop means for limiting the amount of translating movement of each ofsaid slide means in each of said generally opposite linear directions.

4. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said means forrespectively translating said first and second translatable slide meansin generally opposite linear directions away from one another and saidmeans for respectively translating said first and second translatableslide means in generally opposite linear directions toward one anothercomprise:

cylinder means fixedly attached to said first translatable slide means,and

piston rod means fixedly attached to said second translatable slidemeans, at least a portion of said piston rod means being slidablymounted in said cylinder means for relative movement with respectthereto.

5. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein:

each of said slide means is comprised of a generally L-shaped supportshelf facing said cutter means and including a generally upwardlyextending sup port surface and a generally laterally extending supportsurface, and wherein each of said clamp means is operative to exert aclamping force to urge said workpiece against an adjacent set of bothsaid generally upwardly extending support surface and said generallylaterally extending support surface.

6. The improvement according to claim wherein:

said generally upwardly extending support surface and said generallylaterally extending support surfaces are respectively vertically andhorizontally inclined.

7. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said first and secondclamp means each further comprise:

piston and cylinder means including floating cylinder means operative toprovide said second clamping force in response to application of saidfirst clamping force.

8. A cutting apparatus for sequentially severing the end portion of aworkpiece from the remainder thereof, the apparatus comprising:

support means for supporting the workpiece;

cutter means, movable relative to the workpiece, for

severing the workpiece into first and second portions, said cutter meansbeing returnable, relative to the workpiece, through the cut madethereby:

translatable slide means, mounted for translation on a way secured to astationary base member, for generally linearly moving one of saidsevered portions in a generally linear direction away from said cut,said translatable slide means including at least a portion of saidsupport means and further comprising clamp means for positively urgingsaid workpiece into engagement with said at least a portion of saidsupport means and for stabilizing said slide means on said way, with afirst clamping force acting in one clamping direction on said workpieceand positively urging said slide against said way, and with a secondclamping force acting in a second clamping direction against said way;and

means for respectively translating at least said translatable slidemeans in said generally linear direction and in a linear directiongenerally opposite thereto.

9. The cutting apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said-clamp meanscomprises:

piston means for clamping said workpiece against said at least a portionof said support means from one of said generally opposite clampingdirections, and floating cylinder means for clamping said workpieceagainst said support means from the other of said generally oppositeclamping directions in response to clamping action of said piston means.

10. The cutting apparatus according to claim '8 wherein said at least aportion of said support means comprises:

a generally L-shaped support shelf facing said cutter means andincluding a generally upwardly extending support surface and a generallylaterally extending support surface,

said clamp means being operative to exert a clamping force to urge saidworkpiece against both said generally upwardly extending support surfaceand said generally laterally extending support surface.

11. The cutting apparatus according to claim 10 wherein:

LII

said generally upwardly. extending support surface and said generallylaterally extending support surface are respectively vertically andhorizontally inclined and offset by about 12. The cutting apparatusaccording to claim 8 including:

means for moving the other of said severed portions of said workpieceaway from said cut.

13. The cutting apparatus according to claim 12 wherein:

said means for moving the other of said severed portions of saidworkpiece away from said out comprises a second translatable slidemeans.

14. The cutting apparatus according to claim 8 including:

means for predetermining the amount of linear movement of saidtranslatable slide means in at least one linear direction oftranslation.

115. The cutting apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said means forprdetermining the amount of linear movement said translatable slidemeans in at least one linear direction of translation comprises:

stop means for limiting translating movement said translatable slidemeans and cooperable with said slide means for returning said onesevered portion to its initial position.

16. A cutting apparatus for sequentially severing the end portion of aworkpiece from the remainder thereof, the apparatus comprising:

support means for supporting the workpiece;

cutter means, movable relative to the workpiece, for

severing the workpiece into first and second portions, said cutter meansbeing returnable, relative to the workpiece, through the cut madethereby; translatable slide means, including at least a portion of saidsupport means integral therewith and mounted on a way secured to astationary base member, for generally linearly moving one of saidsevered portions in a generally linear direction away from said cut andin a direction transverse to the path of movement of said cutter means;clamp means for clamping said workpiece to said at least a portion ofsaid support means included in said translatable slide means andoperative to clamp said workpiece and said slide means to saidstationary base member, said clamp means including a first movablemember for exerting a clamping force urging said workpiece against saidat least a portion of said support means and for urging said.

. slide means against said way in one clamping direction, and a secondmovable member for exerting a clamping force against said way in agenerally opposite clamping direction; and

means for respectively translating at least said translatable slidemeans in said generally linear direction and in a linear directiongenerally opposite thereto.

17. The cutting apparatus according to claim 16 wherein:

said at least a portion of said support means included in saidtranslatable slide means is comprised of a generally L-shaped supportshelf facing said cutter means and including a generally upwardlyextending support surface and a generally laterally extending supportsurface, and wherein said clamp means is operative to exert a clampingforce to urge said workpiece against both said generally upwardlyextending support surface and said generally laterally extending supportsurface.

18. The cutting apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said first andsecond movable members are comprised of:

piston means and floating cylinder means, said fioating cylinder meansbeing operable to exert a clamping force in one of said clampingdirections in response to the application of a clamping force by saidpiston means in the other generally opposite, one of said clampingdirections.

19. A cutting apparatus for severing a workpiece, the apparatuscomprising:

carbide tip cutter means, movable relative to the workpiece for severingthe workpiece into first and second portions, said cutter means beingreturnable, relative to the workpiece, through the cut made thereby;

at least one translatable slide means generally linearly movable in twogenerally opposite linear directions, for linearly moving a severedportion of the workpiece away from said cut;

a way on which said translatable slide means is slidably mounted; and

clamp means mounted on said slide means and continuously available toclamp the workpiece to said slide means and to stabilize said slidemeans on said way, said clamp means including:

first movable means for urging said workpiece against said slide meansand said slide means against said way with a clamping force acting inone clamping direction, and

second movable means for clamping said slide means to said way with aclamping force acting on said way in a second clamping direction.

20. The cutting apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said first andsecond movable means comprise:

piston means and floating cylinder means with the floating cylindermeans being operable to exert a clamping force in one clamping directionin response to the exertion of a clamping force by said piston means ina generally opposite clamping direction.

21. The method for sequentially severing the end portion of a workpiecefrom the remainder thereof with a cutter relatively translatable withrespect to the workpiece, the method comprising:

supporting the workpiece, at least partially on slide means slidable ona way, in a position generally transverse to the direction of relativetranslation of a cutter means; translating the cutter relative to theworkpiece to sever the workpiece into first and second portions;spreading the severed portions of the workpiece, the step of spreadingcomprising clamping the workpiece and translating a clamped severedportion in a generally linear direction away from the location of thecut made by the cutter, and further comprising stabilizing the slidemeans on the way with first and second clamping forces acting againstthe slide means and the way in generally opposite clamping directions;returning said cutter, relative to the workpiece,

through the cut made thereby, and

positioning the workpiece for the next severing operation.

22. The method according to claim 21 including the steps of:

translating the clamped severed portion in a linear direction generallyopposite to said linear direction, and

stopping the translating movement of the clamped severed portion in saidgenerally opposite linear direction at its initial position.

23. The method according to claim 21 wherein the supporting stepcomprises:

supporting the workpiece against both a generally upwardly extendingsupport surface and a generally laterally extending support surface eachfacing the cutter.

24. The method according to claim 23 wherein the clamping stepcomprises:

urging the workpiece against both the generally upwardly extendingsupport surface and the generally laterally extending support surface.

25. The method according to claim 21 wherein the spreading stepcomprises translating another clamped severed portion in a generallylinear direction away from the location of the cut, the method furthercomprising:

returning, by translating in linear direction generally opposite to thelinear direction of movement during spreading, each of the clampedsevered portions of the workpiece to its initial position.

26. A method for severing a workpiece with a carbide tip cutterrelatively movable 'with respect to the workpiece, the methodcomprising:

supporting the workpiece in a position generally transverse to thedirection of movement of the cutter means relative to the workpiece;moving the cutter relative to the workpiece to sever the workpiece intofirst and second portions;

clamping the workpiece to a portion of its support on a translatableslide slidable on a way, with positiive clamping forces acting in twogenerally opposite clamping directions and provided by clamp meanscontinuously available to apply a first clamping force to urge theworkpiece against the slide means and the slide means against the wayand to apply a second stabilizing clamping force exerted against theway.

translating at least one severed portion of the workpiece in a generallylinear direction away from the cut made by the cutter; and

returning the cutter relative to the workpiece through the cut madethereby.

27. The method according to claim 26 wherein:

the clamping step is performed prior to severance of the work-piece andthe clamping forces are operable during severance of the workpiece.

28. The method according to claim 26 wherein:

one of the clamping forces applied in one of the clamping directions isapplied in response to application of the other clamping force in thegenerally opposite clamping direction.

1. In a machine for severing a workpiece by cutter means movablerelative to and generally transversely of the workpiece to make a cut,and returnable relative to the workpiece through the path of the cut,the improvement comprising: spreader means for translating each of thesevered portions of the workpiece in generally opposite lineardirections away from one another prior to return of said cutter means,relative to the workpiece, through the path of the cut, said spreadermeans comprising: first and second translatable slide means supportedfor translationn on a way and positioned on opposite sides of the pathof the cut, said slide means being generally linearly movable ingenerally opposite linear directions toward and away from one another,first and second clamp means, operatively connected respectively to saidfirst and second translatable slide means, for clamping said workpieceto said first and second translatable slide means, each of said firstand second clamp means including means for clamping said workpieceagainst the operatively connected one of said slide means with a firstclamping force acting against said workpiece in a first positiveclamping direction and a second positive clamping force acting againstsaid way in a second generally opposite clamping direction, means forrespectively translating said first and second slide means and tHeoperatively connected one of said first and second clamp means, ingenerally opposite linear directions away from one another, and meansfor respectively translating said first and second slide means ingenerally opposite linear directions toward one another.
 2. Theimprovement according to claim 1 including: means for predetermining theamount of translating movement of each of said translatable slide meansin at least one generally linear direction of movement thereof.
 3. Theimprovement according to claim 2 wherein said means for predeterminingthe amount of translating movement of each of said translatable slidemeans in at least one generally linear direction of movement comprises:stop means for limiting the amount of translating movement of each ofsaid slide means in each of said generally opposite linear directions.4. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said means forrespectively translating said first and second translatable slide meansin generally opposite linear directions away from one another and saidmeans for respectively translating said first and second translatableslide means in generally opposite linear directions toward one anothercomprise: cylinder means fixedly attached to said first translatableslide means, and piston rod means fixedly attached to said secondtranslatable slide means, at least a portion of said piston rod meansbeing slidably mounted in said cylinder means for relative movement withrespect thereto.
 5. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein: eachof said slide means is comprised of a generally L-shaped support shelffacing said cutter means and including a generally upwardly extendingsupport surface and a generally laterally extending support surface, andwherein each of said clamp means is operative to exert a clamping forceto urge said workpiece against an adjacent set of both said generallyupwardly extending support surface and said generally laterallyextending support surface.
 6. The improvement according to claim 5wherein: said generally upwardly extending support surface and saidgenerally laterally extending support surfaces are respectivelyvertically and horizontally inclined.
 7. The improvement according toclaim 1 wherein said first and second clamp means each further comprise:piston and cylinder means including floating cylinder means operative toprovide said second clamping force in response to application of saidfirst clamping force.
 8. A cutting apparatus for sequentially severingthe end portion of a workpiece from the remainder thereof, the apparatuscomprising: support means for supporting the workpiece; cutter means,movable relative to the workpiece, for severing the workpiece into firstand second portions, said cutter means being returnable, relative to theworkpiece, through the cut made thereby: translatable slide means,mounted for translation on a way secured to a stationary base member,for generally linearly moving one of said severed portions in agenerally linear direction away from said cut, said translatable slidemeans including at least a portion of said support means and furthercomprising clamp means for positively urging said workpiece intoengagement with said at least a portion of said support means and forstabilizing said slide means on said way, with a first clamping forceacting in one clamping direction on said workpiece and positively urgingsaid slide against said way, and with a second clamping force acting ina second clamping direction against said way; and means for respectivelytranslating at least said translatable slide means in said generallylinear direction and in a linear direction generally opposite thereto.9. The cutting apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said clamp meanscomprises: piston means for clamping said workpiece against said atleast a portion of said support means from one of said generallyopposite clamping directions, And floating cylinder means for clampingsaid workpiece against said support means from the other of saidgenerally opposite clamping directions in response to clamping action ofsaid piston means.
 10. The cutting apparatus according to claim 8wherein said at least a portion of said support means comprises: agenerally L-shaped support shelf facing said cutter means and includinga generally upwardly extending support surface and a generally laterallyextending support surface, said clamp means being operative to exert aclamping force to urge said workpiece against both said generallyupwardly extending support surface and said generally laterallyextending support surface.
 11. The cutting apparatus according to claim10 wherein: said generally upwardly extending support surface and saidgenerally laterally extending support surface are respectivelyvertically and horizontally inclined and offset by about 90*.
 12. Thecutting apparatus according to claim 8 including: means for moving theother of said severed portions of said workpiece away from said cut. 13.The cutting apparatus according to claim 12 wherein: said means formoving the other of said severed portions of said workpiece away fromsaid cut comprises a second translatable slide means.
 14. The cuttingapparatus according to claim 8 including: means for predetermining theamount of linear movement of said translatable slide means in at leastone linear direction of translation.
 15. The cutting apparatus accordingto claim 14 wherein said means for prdetermining the amount of linearmovement said translatable slide means in at least one linear directionof translation comprises: stop means for limiting translating movementsaid translatable slide means and cooperable with said slide means forreturning said one severed portion to its initial position.
 16. Acutting apparatus for sequentially severing the end portion of aworkpiece from the remainder thereof, the apparatus comprising: supportmeans for supporting the workpiece; cutter means, movable relative tothe workpiece, for severing the workpiece into first and secondportions, said cutter means being returnable, relative to the workpiece,through the cut made thereby; translatable slide means, including atleast a portion of said support means integral therewith and mounted ona way secured to a stationary base member, for generally linearly movingone of said severed portions in a generally linear direction away fromsaid cut and in a direction transverse to the path of movement of saidcutter means; clamp means for clamping said workpiece to said at least aportion of said support means included in said translatable slide meansand operative to clamp said workpiece and said slide means to saidstationary base member, said clamp means including a first movablemember for exerting a clamping force urging said workpiece against saidat least a portion of said support means and for urging said slide meansagainst said way in one clamping direction, and a second movable memberfor exerting a clamping force against said way in a generally oppositeclamping direction; and means for respectively translating at least saidtranslatable slide means in said generally linear direction and in alinear direction generally opposite thereto.
 17. The cutting apparatusaccording to claim 16 wherein: said at least a portion of said supportmeans included in said translatable slide means is comprised of agenerally L-shaped support shelf facing said cutter means and includinga generally upwardly extending support surface and a generally laterallyextending support surface, and wherein said clamp means is operative toexert a clamping force to urge said workpiece against both saidgenerally upwardly extending support surface and said generallylaterally extending support surface.
 18. The cutting apparatus accordingto claim 16 wherein said first and second moVable members are comprisedof: piston means and floating cylinder means, said floating cylindermeans being operable to exert a clamping force in one of said clampingdirections in response to the application of a clamping force by saidpiston means in the other generally opposite, one of said clampingdirections.
 19. A cutting apparatus for severing a workpiece, theapparatus comprising: carbide tip cutter means, movable relative to theworkpiece for severing the workpiece into first and second portions,said cutter means being returnable, relative to the workpiece, throughthe cut made thereby; at least one translatable slide means generallylinearly movable in two generally opposite linear directions, forlinearly moving a severed portion of the workpiece away from said cut; away on which said translatable slide means is slidably mounted; andclamp means mounted on said slide means and continuously available toclamp the workpiece to said slide means and to stabilize said slidemeans on said way, said clamp means including: first movable means forurging said workpiece against said slide means and said slide meansagainst said way with a clamping force acting in one clamping direction,and second movable means for clamping said slide means to said way witha clamping force acting on said way in a second clamping direction. 20.The cutting apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said first andsecond movable means comprise: piston means and floating cylinder meanswith the floating cylinder means being operable to exert a clampingforce in one clamping direction in response to the exertion of aclamping force by said piston means in a generally opposite clampingdirection.
 21. The method for sequentially severing the end portion of aworkpiece from the remainder thereof with a cutter relativelytranslatable with respect to the workpiece, the method comprising:supporting the workpiece, at least partially on slide means slidable ona way, in a position generally transverse to the direction of relativetranslation of a cutter means; translating the cutter relative to theworkpiece to sever the workpiece into first and second portions;spreading the severed portions of the workpiece, the step of spreadingcomprising clamping the workpiece and translating a clamped severedportion in a generally linear direction away from the location of thecut made by the cutter, and further comprising stabilizing the slidemeans on the way with first and second clamping forces acting againstthe slide means and the way in generally opposite clamping directions;returning said cutter, relative to the workpiece, through the cut madethereby, and positioning the workpiece for the next severing operation.22. The method according to claim 21 including the steps of: translatingthe clamped severed portion in a linear direction generally opposite tosaid linear direction, and stopping the translating movement of theclamped severed portion in said generally opposite linear direction atits initial position.
 23. The method according to claim 21 wherein thesupporting step comprises: supporting the workpiece against both agenerally upwardly extending support surface and a generally laterallyextending support surface each facing the cutter.
 24. The methodaccording to claim 23 wherein the clamping step comprises: urging theworkpiece against both the generally upwardly extending support surfaceand the generally laterally extending support surface.
 25. The methodaccording to claim 21 wherein the spreading step comprises translatinganother clamped severed portion in a generally linear direction awayfrom the location of the cut, the method further comprising: returning,by translating in linear direction generally opposite to the lineardirection of movement during spreading, each of the clamped severedportions of the workpiece to its initial position.
 26. A method forseverIng a workpiece with a carbide tip cutter relatively movable withrespect to the workpiece, the method comprising: supporting theworkpiece in a position generally transverse to the direction ofmovement of the cutter means relative to the workpiece; moving thecutter relative to the workpiece to sever the workpiece into first andsecond portions; clamping the workpiece to a portion of its support on atranslatable slide slidable on a way, with positiive clamping forcesacting in two generally opposite clamping directions and provided byclamp means continuously available to apply a first clamping force tourge the workpiece against the slide means and the slide means againstthe way and to apply a second stabilizing clamping force exerted againstthe way. translating at least one severed portion of the workpiece in agenerally linear direction away from the cut made by the cutter; andreturning the cutter relative to the workpiece through the cut madethereby.
 27. The method according to claim 26 wherein: the clamping stepis performed prior to severance of the work-piece and the clampingforces are operable during severance of the workpiece.
 28. The methodaccording to claim 26 wherein: one of the clamping forces applied in oneof the clamping directions is applied in response to application of theother clamping force in the generally opposite clamping direction.